In 1856, French
scientist Louis Pasteur discovered that heating liquids to high temperatures
kills bacteria. This process is called pasteurization, and it protects the
purity and flavors of milk.

Milk is sometimes called nature's most nearly
perfect food.

The best sources of calcium are milk, yogurt, and
cheese. About 72% of the calcium in the U.S. food supply comes from dairy
foods.

These foods also provide protein and several other
important nutrients.

According to the
Federal Government's Food Guide Pyramid,
children ages 9-18 need 3 servings of dairy products daily. Only 30 percent of
teenage boys and 12 percent of teenage girls meet this
recommendation.

A recent
USDA study found nearly two-fifths of the
U.S. population may suffer from a B-12 deficiency. B-12 deficiency can cause
anemia, confusion, loss of balance, and nerve damage. The solution, according
to USDA, is to eat more fortified cereals and
dairy products.

U.S. cows give an
average of 6-1/2 gallons of milk per day. That's over 100 glasses of milk --
enough for 33 children to have 3 glasses each day!

Milk remains fresh
for 7-10 days after the expiration date if refrigerated at 35-40°F. Each
5° (F) rise in temperature shortens milk's shelf life by 50% because of
bacteria growth.

People crave cheese
more than any other food.

Americans eat about
350 slices of pizza per second, or almost 3 billion pizzas per year. That's a
whole lot of cheese!

25 gallons of milk
can make 9 gallons of ice cream, 25 pounds of cheese, or 11 pounds of butter.
It takes about 30 cups of milk to make 1 pound of butter.

99
percent of all U.S. households purchase milk. The average American consumes
almost 25 gallons of milk a year ... that's 400 glasses!

The demand for lower fat (low-fat and skim) milks
has increased:

1979: 36% lower fat, 64% whole milk

1999: 64% lower fat, 36% whole milk

Calcium in soy milk
is not as readily available for the body to use as it is in cow's
milk.

Besides milk, other dairy foods you can eat to
help you get calcium are:

Yogurt

Cheese -- like on your sandwich, on pizza, on
tacos, or in macaroni and cheese